Taxicabs and vehicles-for-hire (ie, companies that allow you to order rides by smartphone or other means) are an essential part of the transportation system in the District of Columbia. Although most drivers have a desire to serve all passengers regardless of their personal characteristics, often times people of color, people with disabilities, and those who live in certain parts of the District are denied equal access to services. But denying such service solely because of an individual's race, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected characteristics is illegal, and should be reported to the DC Office of Human Rights when it occurs.

Examples of Discrimination

Examples of discrimination include refusal of service to:

An individual with a service animal;

An individual with a collapsible wheelchair that fits into a car trunk;

A passenger because of the requested destination within the District;

Potential passengers because of their race or national origin; and

Potential passengers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Additionally, on-duty traditional taxicab drivers without a current fare must stop for a potential passenger in a wheelchair who is hailing a taxicab and ask if the individual wants a ride. If the taxicab is not accessible and the wheelchair not able to fit into the taxicab, the driver must offer to call dispatch to send an accessible taxicab, if the driver works for a company that has accessible taxicabs.

File a Complaint

There are two types of complaints that can be filed: one for traditional taxicabs, and the other for vehicles-for-hire.

Filing a Complaint Against a Traditional Taxicab

If you believe you were discriminated against by a traditional taxi driver or company while in the District of Columbia, you can file a complaint with both the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) and the DC Office of Human Rights by completing the DFHV Discrimination Complaint form. We will contact you within two to four weeks to setup a time to interview you.

Filing a Complaint Against a Vehicle-For-Hire

If you believe you were discriminated against by a vehicle-for-hire driver or company in the District that is not a traditional taxi, you can file a public accommodations complaint. Learn more about our complaint process.

Helpful Evidence

When submitting a complaint of discrimination, try to capture as much of the following as possible to assist with our investigation:

Taxicab or vehicle-for-hire company

Date, time and location of incident

Names and contact information of any witnesses to the incident

Any video evidence of the incident

If you are filing a complaint against a traditional taxicab driver, the following additional information is helpful evidence:

Taxicab number (usually on the side of the vehicle)

License number of driver (usually on the inside of the vehicle)

Requesting an Accessible Taxicab

Two taxicab companies in the District - Royal Cab and Yellow Cab - have wheelchair accessible taxicabs as part of its fleet. Learn more about how to request an accessible taxicab, or to read frequently asked questions about the accessible taxicabs.

More Information

For questions about submitting a complaint based on an alleged discriminatory incident with a taxicab or vehicle-for-hire, contact us at (202) 727-4559.